Being a mom and staying on top of everything in our homes can be a huge challenge, especially for those of us that work.
Whether you work in the home or out of the home – a mother’s life can be very demanding with all the responsibilities that we face. We still have to get the kids ready, fed, bathed, little ones kept occupied, have play time, cook meals, clean, do laundry, dishes, shop, and everything in between.
I am a Work at Home Mom and with 3 small children and another on the way – I often feel like throwing in the towel. Sometimes I do fall apart, I think all of us have at some point. But then reality sets in and we remember that we have bills to pay and our busy lives must go on.
But I have found that there are certain things that I can do to that really help me maintain a balanced life in spite of it all.
1. Keep a To Do List. Last week I wrote a post on this exact subject. You definitely want to Read the Post because it I share in detail how I organize my weekly to do list by category. I think it is the FIRST and most important thing that helps me to stay on top of everything in both my home and businesses.
2. Prepare the Night Before. This is big for me, especially during the school year. Mornings are always hectic for me, trying to get everyone ready, fed, and out the door. So, I try to limit the tasks that have to be done in the morning by preparing the night before. I set everyone’s clothes out, make the kid’s lunches, and I make sure bags are ready by the door (bookbags, diaper bag, purse, etc). This really helps limit the time it takes in the morning to get ready which is already a difficult task with multiple children. And throw a baby into the mix – there is way more to do in the morning!
3. Set Aside Tasks for Specific Days. I work better when I have a schedule. I do certain things on certain days. For instance, on Monday I do all the laundry. When my husband gets home we all fold the laundry together and put it away. This knocks out a huge task at the beginning of the week, so I don’t have to worry about it. That is one thing I learned, always do the task that you least like – FIRST. I carry that concept into other areas of my to do list as well.
4. Keep up with the Small Messes. As you know, with children (and husbands – LOL) there is ALWAYS some kind of mess to clean up – cracker crumbs on the carpet, marbles under the table, dishes in the sink, hair onm the bathroom floor, toys – toys – toys…. When you ignore it for even just a day, the mess becomes bigger and bigger and more unmanageable. I decided that no matter how I feel or how tired I am, I am going to stay up on the small messes. So, when I see something that is out of place I put it back. When the sink is full of dishes, I wash them. When the kids toy’s are laying around and they are not playing with them – I have them clean them up and put them away. I try to have them help me as much as possible even though sometimes it would be easier to just do it myself.
5. Set Limits. I can very easily get distracted by things that wind up taking up valuable time. For me, my internet community & network is very important in helping me build my business, but I can easily spend hours doing this without realizing it. Some of you may struggle with talking on the phone with friends or watching soaps on TV. Whatever it is that you struggle with, you have to purpose in your mind to set a limits for yourself.
It is also good to set limits for your children. It is not good for them to sit in front of the TV all day while you play on the computer. It is not good for them to play video games for an extended period of time. If you cannot set limits for yourself, it will be harder to set limits for them. Start now!
6. Set Aside “Me Time”. This is one thing that refreshes me on a daily basis. I used to work at night. I felt like it was easier for me to get things done when the kids were in bed so I could focus without distractions. After a few months I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I wasn’t getting enough sleep. I couldn’t get up in the morning. I was cranky and tired all the time. So, I decided that I could no longer work that way. It was negatively affecting me and my family.
So, now instead of working after the kids go to bed. I shut down the computer and I take an hour or 2 to wind down and watch some TV. I then get to bed early and get the sleep that I need. The next day, I am up early and ready to go with a clear mind and rested body. I have found that I am actually getting more done now during the day.
7. Be Flexible. Flexibility is something that I have never been good at. I was always a very determined person and never liked to be interrupted especially while in the middle of something. But with children, it is impossible to be able to work without interruptions. One is asking for a snack, one needs their hiney wiped, one is screaming because they can’t find their other shoe. It is one thing after the next. My multi-tasking skills have definitely improved over the years. I am now able to type out an email and have a conversation with my kids at the same time. Of course there are times where you really have to completely stop what you are doing because they need your undivided attention. But flexibility is definitely something that has really helped me to stay calm in spite of the chaos. LOL
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I hope this list of Time Management Tips will help those of you moms out there who need help balancing your lives. Is there a certain thing from my list that you could work on? Please share! How do you balance home and work? I would love to hear from you!
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As a new (working) mommy, I need to learn to do all these things. Right now I feel like everything is completely out of control…I think if I could make myself deal with the small messes, life would be way easier. As it is, dishes pile up till they threaten to take over the kitchen, laundry waiting to be put away sits in baskets until they’re all dirty again…you name it! Thanks for the advice.
.-= amber´s last blog ..Oh. My. God. =-.
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There are times when I am on top of all these points and then there are times when everything seems to crash at the same time. The biggest culprit for the crashing is your #6. Being on the computer at night and not getting to bed early enough. I am really working on this. In my head I know that there might be others facing this like me but t’s good to actually read and know that I am not the only one.
.-= Fruitfulvine2´s last blog ..Save Money with your Food Storage =-.
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I relate to this post very much. I too am a working Mom from home, I only have one child and have to give you props for being able to do what you do with three. There are many things that I do the same as you and many that I have let slide. After reading this I realized that I need to rethink my daily shedule and go back to the way it was before my business kept me so busy. You inspired me to have a one hour power cleaning sesion this afternoon before I headed to the studio to get some work done. It is so true about keeping up on all the little household task because they really can get away from you in as little as a day. Thanks for another great post and congrats on the baby that is on the way!
.-= ClaudiasCreations´s last blog ..SALE – Plantable Shamrocks – WILDFLOWER Seed Handmade Recycled Paper Shapes =-.
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I so agree with Fruitfulvine2. I am on top of these points sometimes. What’s really helped me recently is to tackle big jobs or projects in chunks. There is an end and I can see that it’s done;
.-= Melitsa´s last blog ..Guess the Nursery Rhyme =-.
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If you’d like a tool for managing your time and projects, you can use this application inspired by David Allen’s GTD:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage and prioritize your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.
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Love the “Keep a To Do List” and “Set Time Limits” suggestions. I have found myself using these two tips more often over the last few weeks. It is so easy to get distracted, but if I remember to do these two items, I am more able to have a successful day.
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Totally with you on the preparation. Some days I feel like I’m mobilising a tiny army and I only have two children! I really need to work on the me time.
.-= InsomniacMummy´s last blog ..Going nowhere……fast! =-.
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I can so relate to this. I have never been able to work at night getting up early is much better on me and my family. Also I keep a schedule much like yours! It is amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it isn’t it?
.-= Alyssa´s last blog ..No More Reviews =-.
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Wonderful tips… I especially have to keep a list, and write down all the details of who and when I talked to about things, or I’ll never remember.
Thanks for the reminders and LOVE the picture!
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Upcoming Review: Dining Rooms Direct =-.
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LOL… My best time management tip is “Hire A VA”.
Seriously… this is a great article Dawn. I have been in a “to-do list blackout”. It’s been a lengthy road of “just getting the basics” done and not much else.
I have been “working up” to getting myself back on track (and I don’t have kids at home anymore) so I don’t have a thing to complain about.
The point about making a list the night before hit me right between the eyes. Duh… I used to do that every night. Clean up desk and make list for tomorrow was my routine. I’ve become lackadaisical (I’m guessing that house remodeling can do that) ~ but you have given me a few “boot kicks” and now I’m going to make a “LIST”.
Thanks Dawn for all that you do… Debra
.-= THAT Painter Lady´s last blog ..The Difference Between Home Staging and Home Decorating =-.
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I love this post, Dawn! The best thing about it to me is that your time management skills don’t have to be complex to work. Prepping for the next day so mornings aren’t a battle is huge. The one I always struggle with is keeping up with the small stuff. With my three kids aged 7 to 2, I simply get overwhelmed with all the tiny Legos dropped everywhere by the boys, and the insane amount of clothing and shoes my daughter takes on and off throughout the day. I look at all the messes that take 5 seconds for them to make and forever to clean up!
My compromise, I guess, is to do the 5 o’clock Five Minute Clean-up. I have the kids pitch in and we run around like crazy picking up stuff and getting the house back in order before Dad gets home.
Take care!
Lara Galloway
The Mom Biz Coach
http://www.mombizcoach.com
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Great tips!
Especially for that who do work really hard!
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You are right, it is so important to set limits. I think many of us moms who decide to work from home think we will have sooo much time. the next thing you know- we have over focused on one area and feel over worked and under accomplished. Setting a work from home schedule has really helped me.
.-= Tori´s last blog ..Pick Your Poison =-.
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Twitter: brandyellen
I love all these tips .. why? Because lately I feel like I am just letting time run me and tasks run ME rather than me running the tasks, business and children …. off to set some limits, and get that to-do list idea moving forward!! Thanks for linking this up at Happily Blended on Sunday, sorry it took me until TODAY to get here
.-= Brandy´s last blog ..Get Out From Underneath =-.
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Cool post!!! Gorgeous writing!!! Do like the way of your thoughts!!!
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Excellent post!!!! Worth praising!!!!
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Twitter: Blaine
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